Traveling with Extra Fuel & DEF (Proper Storage)?

[Duramax3oh]

So we’re going to be doing quite a bit of traveling towing the trailer and I always like being prepared. No need for an auxiliary fuel tank. My plan was to carry a 5 gallon jug of diesel fuel (if needed would get me about an hours worth of extra driving while still towing) and an extra case or two of DEF in the bed. I don’t have a generator for the trailer yet but gas for that too would be something to think about in the future.  I have a tonneau cover and a  UWS aluminum utility storage chest. 

 

My questions are:

-What’s the proper way to travel with these?

-What do y’all do? Just secure it down solid back there?

-Diesel fuel in a plastic can like the picture just fine? Do you have a recommended diesel storage container? The DEF I’d just keep in the box. 

- I’m hesitant about storing inside the utility chest. Is that frowned upon, dangerous, etc?

- Would the DEF on it’s own still in the box be fine inside the chest?

- What sort of temperatures should I be worried about/any ventilation requirements?

 

I just want to be safe and avoid any pitfalls that are easy to avoid, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[LowCountryDenali]

DEF..........fine.  It's transportable in it's original container.  Pay attention to storage instructions re: heat, etc.  Read the labels.  Unless you're boondocking I'm not sure why you would want to transport diesel????  Plenty of availability most anywhere you go.  My last two SUV's were diesel and we traveled coast to coast.  Both had almost 700 mile range.  

[blckblt]

Any gas cans that I transport I put the spout inside the can.  That way the spout doesn't get broken by the can shifting or something else.

 

Never hauled diesel in a can for more than 2 hours so I not much help on the temp other than it was strapped/secured and under a tonneau cover (black cover and black truck.  No issue.  Can similar to yours in the picture.  I have hauled gas in the same style cans for the same 2 hour drive and never had an issue other than some pressure buildup in the can (wear a glove when releasing the air vent).  My camp is a 2 hour drive...

 

When you get your generator get an invertor style.  Quiet.  Fuel efficient.  I prefer (use) Honda.

Edited August 28, 2020 by blckblt

[Duramax3oh]

Thank you both 

 

Great, I like the idea of the DEF tucked out of the way in the chest for the long trip.

 

As for the diesel, I’m probably fine w/o it I just like the idea of extremely cheap insurance for a certain part of the trip. 
 

Total trip is 10 states and roughly 5,000 miles: TX-CO-SD-MT-WY-ID-OR-UT-AZ-NM-TX!

[Wiggums]

DEF lasts for a lot of miles. It was 8,000 kms for the Audi A7 TDi and I had no problem finding it when I didn't fill it up for around 500 kms and the damn car threatened to refuse to start until I put in DEF.

Edited August 28, 2020 by Wiggums

[pewterliftedz]

8 minutes ago, Wiggums said:

DEF lasts for a lot of miles. It was 8,000 kms for the Audi A7 TDi.

Not on these new trucks that have had the update and towing.

[Wintersun]

With my LML Duramax V-8 engine the DEF consumption is 1-1.5% of the diesel fuel burned. 5 gallons of DEF in the tank in the truck is enough for at least 333 gallons of diesel burned and even at 15 mpg when towing that will take you more than 5,000 miles. The 2.5 gal containers of DEF are sold by every auto parts supply place and at Wal-Mart so it is not a big deal to get another container for $10 and have enough to go another 2500 miles.

 

Rather than carrying an extra 5 gallons of diesel why not slow down and enjoy the view. My truck get it highest mpg at 62 mph and it drops by 10% or more with each 10 mph above that. Whatever time I might think I was saving by driving faster is negated by having to make additional fuel stops and with diesel that often means traveling off my route to find a place that sells diesel.

[redwngr]

If doing big miles pulling a trailer, you're probably also frequenting truck stop locations for food and fuel.

 

They will always have DEF.  The heavy trucks use it too. (DEF tank is the one with the light blue lid - usually on the drivers side of the tractor). Typically DEF will be available both in bulk and in boxes/jugs.  

 

It's not necessary to wait for the truck to be giving warnings before adding DEF (just as we don't need to wait for the low fuel light/warnings before getting fuel)

 

 

[Ed/2020RST]

Diesel will be fine stored in your tool box as well as the DEF. I would not suggest transporting/storing gas in any confined space especially in this Texas heat. As another has said store the spout inside the can to avoid breakage. Treat you gas with an ethanol treatment not only to make it last without breakdown but it's not good to use in ANY small engine without being treated.

[Wintersun]

With the Chevy 2500 trucks one gets a 36 gallon fuel tank and that is plenty. With the 1500 trucks one is stuck with a tiny 24 gallon fuel tank as GM provides no big tank options unlike Ram and Ford and with Toyota Tundras the stock fuel tank is 38 gallon capacity.

 

One good thing is that Titan makes replacement diesel fuel tanks so you can replace the factory fuel tank on a 1500 pickup with a larger capacity one and keep your fuel under the truck.

 

With my 2500 diesel the mpg when towing was 11-13 mpg as compared to 7-9 mpg for those with gas V-8 engines. That translated into an additional 140 miles of driving range between fuel stops.

 

Unless you add a cap to the truck whatever is in the bed has a good chance of going walkabout, including a 5-gallon jerry can.